MP with the courage of his convictions

WE PAY their wages, entrust them with billions of our money to run the country yet they ignore us.

I’m talking about our political leaders whose notorious deafness hit new heights recently when it appeared that some MPs might be getting hearing aids or even trying to listen to their constituents about a referendum on the EU.

Naturally leaders couldn’t tolerate troops such as South Dorset Tory MP Richard Drax displaying signs that they might have a mind of their own, so they openly instructed all MPs of all parties to vote against a motion calling for a public vote on the UK’s place in the EU.

The whole House of Commons debate had been sparked by a petition signed by more than 100,000 people, hardly a promising advert for the future when so many people’s wishes can be so blatantly stifled.

So what are Cameron, Clegg and Milliband frightened of?

Well, if they represent the people then surely the approach they adopt for the country should reflect what most people want and the only way to identify that is through a public vote on the issue.

But the fact of the matter is that the three main party leaders have an approach which reflects their views not necessarily those of the country.

They’re petrified that if they give the public a mouthpiece then millions will vote to come out of the EU which will overrule a handful of power brokers keeping us in that increasingly subservient existence.

The cold hard fact is that if the big three felt they were representing the people then they wouldn’t mind a vote and they certainly wouldn’t have issued such a severe anti-referendum instruction to MPs which had panic written all over it.

Fortunately our own MP Richard Drax displayed a different version of Churchill’s famous gesture to Cameron & Co and defiantly opted to vote in favour of a Bill offering three choices for Britain’s future EU participation including staying, leaving and renegotiating membership.

He correctly said that this was “a matter far more important than party politics” and that trading with the EU was one thing but being ruled by it was quite another.

Just for the record, Parliament currently has 650 MPs and, when the dust from leaders threatening MPs had settled, only 111 including Richard Drax had the courage to vote for asking the public’s view.

The best comment came in a political forum posted by one frustrated writer who asked what could possibly be done to get a referendum when so many ordinary people wanted one but were told by a few politicians that it “wasn’t the right time”.

So perhaps democracy isn’t quite as alive and well as Cameron, Clegg and Milliband would have us believe and that representation of the populace is rather a case where all politicians’ views are equal but some are more equal than others.

THANK God November 5th is over...well nearly. Explosive celebrations at all hours of the night began in my area of town as early as October 19th, a full 17 days ahead of Guy Fawkes’ official date.

Strong language erupted from under my bed clothes for night after night as fireworks went off at any time right up to 3am and, if I was hacked off with having my sleep disturbed, I’m pretty sure that parents with young children woken by the bangs would be even angrier.

No one expects fireworks let off solely on November 5th – that’s asking too much of human nature – but the whole celebration seems to have become blurred and we’ve had fireworks still exploding days after the official event. Enough is enough.

Just banking in the rain

ANY major branch of any major bank worth the name claims to offer its customers the last word in financial advice and cash accessibility... but it’s a different story with smaller branches.

I was out and about in my traditional holiday weather – torrential rain – when I ran short of cash and dived into a little branch of HSBC just as the heavens opened.

I had with me not just identification but the correct bank card yet this still wasn’t enough. I was politely but firmly informed that if I wanted to withdraw money from my account then I would need a bank book to enable me to do so in the dry.

As I didn’t have a bank book with me, the teller coolly told me that I could still use my card to withdraw money from my account... from a hole in the wall machine outside in teeming rain where increasing numbers of people could be seen trying to buy boats.

So I had no choice but to go out in to stygian conditions, fumbling with my card and the machine keyboard with one hand while using the other to hold my umbrella so as much water as possible could be made to trickle down my neck.

It was at this point that I realised HSBC might stand for horribly soaked bank customer and that the branch clearly had room for improvement.

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Let’s make it Lyme’s Olympic Day

IT was a pretty dismal weekend with a pall of sadness hanging over the West Country following the horrifc multi-vehicle accident on the M5 near Taunton, which killed seven people in the most frightening circumstances.

My mood was not brightened by the ever-depressing news from the Cannes summit that the euro is in near meltdown and we are bracing ourselves to provide more millions to bail it out.

So it was great on Monday morning to get some good news with the announcement that the Olympic torch will be passing through Lyme Regis on Thursday, July 12th.

A truly unique event which will probably never happen again and an unexpected but unbelievable opportunity for Lyme to celebrate London 2012 and provide an early boost to next year’s summer season.

Within seconds of hearing the news I was on the blower to Mayor Sally Holman who let out a squeal of excitement and immediately went into First Citizen mode, providing me with a quote for our story and then immediately deciding that the occasion must be celebrated in true Lyme Regis fashion.

Other towns in Dorset are already planning their celebrations and the mayor will probably put together some form of working party to do the same. We don’t know who will be carrying the golden torch through Lyme, although young lifeboat crew member Ritchie Durrant, an excellent all-round sportsman, has been nominated. A decision will not be made until December 11th.

The occasion will give Lyme’s sporting organisations the chance to promote themselves and I hope it will be possible to provide an escort for the torchbearer through Lyme made up of representatives of the town’s leading sporting groups. It would be good if July 12th could be designated as “Lyme’s Olympic Day.”

Next year is shaping up to one of the most exiting in Lyme’s recent history. Not ony do we have the fossil and earth festivals, there will be a rejuvenated jazz, blues and beer festival, celebrations to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the arrival of the first cruise liner in the bay, packed, we are told, with rich Americans, Lifeboat and Regatta & Carnival weeks and the increasingly popular ArtsFest.

It’s going to be some summer!

SATURDAY was one of those days I promised that I would never put myself through again when I suffered a bout of illness a couple of years ago.

At lunchtime I was invited to speak on the press at the West Dorset Conservative Association conference at Frampton, near Dorchster, and enjoyed engaging in a lively debate on local politics with association members and West Dorset councillors.

I sped back to Lyme after lunch to make preparations for the Cancer Research UK curry night, which we were holding at the Lister Room in the Marine Parade shelters that evening while the bonfire and fireworks display was happening.

Jackie had spent all day cooking curry and we had to take all the food and equipment down to the shelters before the 6pm start.

We made a profit of £300, which takes us nearly to £7,000 for the year so far, so a big thank you to those who supported the event.

I did not see the fireworks because I had another speaking engagement that evening but everyone says what a good display it was, witnessed by a huge crowd.

I had to leave Jackie and Francesca to host the curry night, with the help of Nigel Fortnam and Cliff Powley, because I had agreed to compere the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance, which I have done many times before.

Despite clashing with the fireworks, the concert was supported by over 100 Legion members and friends and turned out to be another great nostalgic evening to celebrate the Legion’s 90th birthday.

So well done to Alan Vian and his Regatta and Carnival helpers for putting on another grand fireworks display and also to members of the Lyme branch for their dedication and commitment to the continuing important work of the Royal British Legion, which is as important today as it was when the organisation was formed in 1921.

10,000 people can’t be wrong, can they?

I have written a couple of times in this column about my support for the regenerated Marine Parade Shelters, although I accept I am out of kilter with some of my fellow Lyme Regians on this.

I believe, however, they have made a huge difference to the seafront, adding a touch of class to what used to be a very unloved building.

The shelters will now be closed for a few weeks whilst the town council and users group assess the various comments and suggestions that have been made for its future use by those who have visited the central pavilion - over 10,000 people between the end of August and the end of October.

I think that figure speaks for itself.

Year Book out soon

LAST year, you may recall, we published a Year Book for 2010, chronicling all the events in and around Lyme over that year. Several have asked whether there will be a 2011 edition. Yes, there will.

Jackie has already started on putting the book together and it should be on sale before Christmas.

We are hoping to produce a similar book every year which could eventually turn into the definitive modern history of Lyme.

Francesca has also produced a little A5 book, based on her Summertime In Lyme column featuring photos from Lyme’s multitude of summer events.

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60 SECOND INTERVIEW: Carol Hunt

PORTLAND author Carol Hunt is currently working on her fourth book in her series of stories set on the island. Carol lives in Easton on Portland with her three teenage children. She studied English Literature and History at the University of Chichester and has worked in publishing and as an adviser to young people. She has written three books in her Portland Chronicles series - The Portland Sea Dragon, Enchantment of the Black Dog and Portland Pirates - published by Roving Press, and is currently writing her fourth - The Portland Giant. When not writing, Carol enjoys spending time with her children, driving them to majorettes, ballet and various rock concerts.

WHAT do you like most about West Dorset?

I enjoy living close to the sea and I like the people of West Dorset. The Isle of Portland continues to fascinate me with its windswept cliffs, pirate graves at Church Ope and lighthouse. I am always finding out new things about Portland.

WHAT inspired you to start writing?

My children. I didn’t have to look far for inspiration to start writing about annoying and unreasonable characters. I am also fascinated by local folklore; the Veasta or Chesil Beach Sea Monster, the Mermaid found at Church Ope and the weird legend of the phantom Black Dog at Cave Hole, Portland Bill.

WHAT top three tips would you give to an amateur writer?

Write about who and what you know, ask for feedback from your readers, don’t be afraid to take risks. My stories combine research into 17th century history with contemporary children, surf dudes who are obsessed with the weather, and Gregor, a badly behaved collie. When I ask children who they like best, they almost always say Gregor or Ryder, the super-cool surfer.

WHO is your favourite author and why?

I admire the author Terry Pratchett who writes about the Discworld and the city of Ankh-Morpork. His characters include Rincewind, a hopeless wizard and Death, the hooded Grim Reaper who tries so hard to understand people. Tiffany from A Hat Full of Sky is one of my favourite characters as she is brave and resourceful.

WHAT is your all time favourite book and why?

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis, the first Narnia book. I identify with the children as they explore Narnia. Lucy is very sensible and Edmund betrays his family for Turkish Delight. I am fascinated by the White Witch and think she is a bit misunderstood. It’s okay to want to live in a permanent winter, with ice, snow and beavers, and turn people you don’t like into stone.

WHAT would be your dream job?

I’d like a sleigh, a fur coat, a lot of Turkish Delight and sole charge of Narnia.

WHO would be your three dream guests at a dinner party and why?

Sam Vimes, Commander of the City Watch in Terry Pratchett’s The Fifth Elephant, who is extremely surly and attractive. Lula, a former ’ho from Janet Evanovich’s Seven Up, who tests the limits of lycra in stretchy animal print dresses. And Nigella Lawson, who would make a mess in the kitchen. I would expect a big row at some point.

WHAT was the last book you read?

I read Keith Richards autobiography Life. It’s fantastic, like having Keith pop round for a rock ’n’ roll party without having to go to the supermarket for a crate of whiskey. Or apologise to the neighbours the next morning.

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Genette back in the headlines

RENEWED interest this week in the death of Genette Tate, the 13-year-old Aylesbeare paper girl who went missing 33 years ago.

Her bicycle and scattered copies of the Express & Echo were found in a lane in Aylesbeare a few minutes after she had been talking with friends.

About 7,000 volunteers joined police to search Aylesbeare Common while ponds and wells within a 150 mile radius were dredged. But her body was never found.

I was editing the Sidmouth Herald at the time and was one of the 7,000 volunteers who joined in the search.

On that afternoon of August 19th 1978 I was playing cricket at Uplyme. The Herald owner, former Fleet Street hack Jimmy Hall, phoned the Talbot Arms to track me down. I left the game and went straight to Aylesbeare where I was met by one of the Herald reporters, David Johnson, who went on to make a career for himself in local radio. At the time, it was one of the biggest stories we had covered and the Genette Tate affair dominated our columns for many months.

The mystery of Genette’s death has returned to the media spotlight this week following the conviction of child killer Robert Black, for murdering nine-year-old Jennifer Cardy in County Antrim 30 years ago.

Devon and Cornwall Police have questioned Black several times over Genette’s disappearance, but he has denied any involveent.

The police are now reviewing the evidence presented at Black’s trial to see if it will help in solving Genette’s disappearamce.

Over the years Genette’s father has appealed to Black to confess that he did murder his daughter. Now in a wheelchair and suffering from terminal cancer, John Tate is seeking a meeting with Black.

Mr Tate now lives in Manchester but for years returned to Aylesbeare on the anniversary of her disappearance to lay flowers on a memorial stone to Genette in the village church. It’s a tragic case.

I remember spending a great deal of time in Aylesbeare that August and can well recall the significant effect it had on villagers.

John Tate himself was under suspicion at one time and I remember attending a press comference that was held in the Aylesbeare cottage where the Tate family lived. I wrote a colour piece for the Herald, large swathes of which were later published by John Tate in a book he wrote on his daughter’s disappearance.

John Tate says he does not have long to live and wants to see Genette’s memory laid to rest before his death.

We can only hope his wishes are granted.

Why the Legion needs your support

OLD soliders will be polishing their medals over the next few days. Young men back in civvy street having served Queen and country will be snapping to attention once more. Royal British Legion members will be standing on windy street corners selling their poppies.

This will be happening in virtually every city, town and village up and down the UK as Remembrance Day approaches.

Legion branches throughout East Devon will be much to the fore between now and November 13th (Remembrance Day) helping their organisation to celebrate its 90th anniversary and attempting to beat last year’s £36 million raised.

Although it is now 66 years since the cessation of hostilities in World War Two, the work of the Royal British Legion has never been more important.

Our brave Armed Forces are putting their lives on the line every day in far off places with strange sounding names and it’s a sobering thought that there has only been one year - 1968 - when a British serviceman has not been killled on active duty since the end of WW2.

Every week the Legion spends £1.4 million helping those whose lives have been affected by conflict.

That’s why they need your support...

I PROMISE this is the last time I will mention our first birthday party but if there are any of you out there in Weekender land who would like to see what went on, you can view a short video which is currently showing on our website. It was filmed and edited by reporter/sub-editor Lisa Bright, who has experience of working in TV. All you have to do is click onto www.the-weekender.co.uk and follow the link on the home page.

www.the-weekender.co.uk

A little bit of faddle does you good!

I SUPPOSE I’ve read hundreds of millions of words in my lifetime, but I came across a new one at a local farm.

Faddle has a sort of rural ring to it and the only reason I didn’t make the mistake of assuming it was some derivative of “fiddle faddle” - meaning something trivial - was because I was reading it on a menu and so assumed quite rightly that it must be something to do with food.

Americans know it as a form of popcorn or even another name for a hotdog, but this was Dorset and I’d never come across the word being used before.

Neither had my father who, at the age of 92 and with more than 60 years in journalism behind him, was equally intrigued by this word - so we asked what it meant.

The reply we got took the form of a finger pointed at a tray containing some type of meat dish. That, we were told, was faddle, a mix of minced pork seasoned with herbs pressed into a rough roll shape with a slice of streaky bacon wrapped round it.

In all honesty I can’t say it is likely to crop up very often in my conversation - but it is going to crop up in my kitchen, perhaps as a pre-Christmas treat.

It’ll all turn out all right in the end

POWER bills stir up powerful emotions or they did for at least one Weymouth resident.

He was valiantly trying to get his head round solar this, solar that and solar the other and the figures just didn’t jell because he liked the idea but couldn’t really afford to buy panels outright.

So the offer of free installation and the strong likelihood of free electricity for life based on a company footing the bill but getting his roof as a site seemed pretty good and he signed up. Then came the installation.

A date was set and he waited with interest... only to get a call saying could they switch to the end of the following week? No problem, he said.

In the meantime he was contacted about scaffolding being installed and duly informed them about their office moving the date. That’s all right then.

The only problem was communications were, to say the least, a little bit inconsistent. The result was that the scaffolders still turned up early and were promptly told by the man that he didn’t want scaffolding all over his house for a week not least because he was frightened of heights and didn’t fancy having to deal with any burglar when he was at a disadvantage. That’s all right then.

Sadly there was also confusion with the installers who also turned up but that was ironed out and a dual mutually agreeable date to cater for both scaffolders and installers was agreed. Just one problem.

The scaffolders were coming from Southampton and the fitters from Brighton!

So if all this extra expense was just casually being written off, the man wondered how hard he could have pushed the margins before the company said it was not profitable for them... clearly at least £1,000 based on wasted petrol and man hours!

A roof raising comment

LOCAL knowledge can be a very soothing thing but a house buyer found themselves a bit on edge when their new home attracted comment from a neighbour.

They hadn’t long been there when an elderly man living opposite their new home hailed them and said they’d made a good buy.

Gratified they smiled their thanks, but they weren’t smiling quite so much at his next remark.

He said: “Beautiful homes those and very well built. A German bomb landed nearby during the war and it blew the roof right up in the air but it landed right back on again!”

Can’t beat that, but I did produce memories of an even earlier time when I unearthed a Royal Flying Corps cap badge while digging our garden for the first when we bought our current home.

Working in two places at once

SOME councillors are busier and more hard-working than others, but surely no member on the Weymouth and Portland authority can come close to Councillor Robbie Dunster - at least according to the council.

A recent planning committee meeting had barely started when Robbie dived in to correct a mistake in the minutes of an earlier meeting.

Some might say it was only a minor discrepancy and perhaps didn’t need pointing out but the issue at stake meant everything to Robbie.

You see, the minutes recorded that he attended the meeting but also that he gave his apologies and wasn’t there!

It goes a long way towards explaining how councillors convince us that they work so hard they sometimes feel they’re in two places at the same time.

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Big shoes to fill at museum

THE announcement over the weekend that Mary Godwin was resigning from the post of curator at Lyme Regis Museum will have been received with shocked inevitability.

Mary tendered her resignation at a meeting of the trustees on Friday afternoon, informing them that she is taking up a new role with the Arts Council.

She has been in post at the Lyme Regis Museum since 2008, and during those three years she has added much professionalism to the running of this unique building, increasing both its profile and numbers of visitors to nearly 30,000 a year.

Mary will leave Lyme for a job she probably could not refuse with the praise of the trustees and all those who work at the museum ringing in her ears.

And no one will be surprised that she is moving on to an important role within the Arts Council, working with museums across the South West, including Lyme.

She admits that it was a “difficult decision”, such is her affection for Lyme’s museum which now plays such an important role in the community life of our town.

Mary, of course, has been crucially involved in the £4 million project to extend the museum and her enthusiasm and sheer professionalism was, I believe, the key to persuading the town council to back the plan by granting an 80-year lease for the extension on Guildhall land.

Some members of the former council had reservations about the development of one of Lyme’s most historic sites but a presentation by Mary in September persuaded the new council that the extension to the museum would be good for Lyme and they gave their unanimous backing.

There’s a long way to go before the project gets underway, not least the raising of £4 million, but the trustees have decided they will be pushing forward with the plans for which Mary has shown such faith and commitment.

Although Mary’s will be difficult shoes to fill, a new curator will be appointed as soon as possible and I doubt whether there will be any shortage of candidates, such is the reputation of Lyme Regis Musuem after Mary’s three-year stint in her tiny office which commands glorious views over Lyme Bay.

The town will wish her well in her new post at the Arts Council.

Failed attempt to swim to West Bay - 50 years ago

THIS column is never adverse to a bit of nostalgia and a press cutting which came across my desk recently, caught my eye.

It is clearly from the Bridport & Lyme Regis News and dated 1961 which means it will almost certainly have been written by doyen reporter and ex-councillor David Cozens MBE.

It records an unsuccessful attempt by two young Lyme men to swim from Lyme Regis to West Bay.

The two “young men” concerned were Rodney Jones, who now lives in Germany and Peter Flux, who sadly died a couple of weeks ago and was buried on Monday.

Rodney, a hard-tackling footballer and fast bowler, and keep-fit fanatic Peter made good progress after diving into the sea at The Cobb and making towards West Bay.

But they were forced to surrender to the cold and choppy seas before getting to their destination. Peter was suffering badly with cramp and was first to abandon the swim after about an hour in the water. Rodney went on for another 20 minutes, getting as far as Golden Cap before he had to give in.

Rodney and Peter were accompanied by their friend, Derek Hallet, in his grandfather’s rowing boat. He told the Bridport News: “When they came out of the water, Peter and Rodney were just too cold to do anything for themselves.

“The grease they covered themselves in didn’t do the trick. It just washed off in the sea.”

The story concluded by saying the plucky pair intended to attempt the swim again in more favourable conditions but Mr Hallett, the town’s former dog warden, says he can’t remember whether they did or not.

Well, it was 50 years ago.

Duty calls - at 91!

OLD soliders will be polishing their medals over the next few days. Young men back in civvy street having served Queen and country will be standing to attention once more. Royal British Legion members will be standing on windy street corners selling their poppies.

This will be happening in virtually every city, town and village up and down the UK as Remembrance Day approaches.

In Lyme Regis last week, a proud, grey-haired war veteran, wrapped up well against the cold, stood for several hours with his poppy tray in hand.

He collected the most that day - £74. That man was Cecil Quick, 91 years old, and a Royal British Legion stalwart in our town for over 65 years. The branch president.

On Sunday, November 13th Cecil will lead the Lyme remembrance parade. Duty calls.

Christmas special

OF ALL the numerous events in which I have been involved over the years, staging and presenting the Lyme’s Got Talent concerts these past two years have been among the most enjoyable and satisfying.

In August all the contestants were 18 years and under and there is something very special about working with youngsters. Their talent always amazes me.

Last year we intended staging a Lyme’s Got Talent Christmas Special but it was snowed off at the last minute.

But we are determined to do it again this year so put Friday, December 16th in your diary and look out for posters around the town and advertisments in the View.

You won’t be disappointed.

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60 SECOND INTERVIEW: John Hunt

AS Remembrance Day approaches, we speak to John Hunt, fondly known locally as “Army John”, from Lyme Regis, who served 24 years under several cap badges and travelled the world during his Army career. Originally from the Isle of Wight, John first visited Lyme Regis after reading about the town in a novel in 1988. He now lives here permanently and is a member of several local organisations, including the Royal British Legion Lyme Regis Branch, for which he will take over the role of treasurer later this year.

WHEN did you join the Army?

I first joined the Army in 1984 when I left school, aged 18. I have given 24 years coloured service, as I left before briefly, and have served in several different regiments, including the Royal Chrous Signals, the Devon and Dorset Regiment which then became The Rifles.

WHY did you decide to join?

I wanted to do something exciting with my life. I wanted to leave home, see the world and do something challenging.

WHERE were you based?

I travelled all over the world. Some of the places I was based were Hong Kong, Germany, Northern Ireland, Belize and Iraq.

WHERE was the best place you visited during your Army career?

Hong Kong was my favourite place. I was young and it was a great lifestyle with lots of different people.

WHY did you move to Lyme Regis?

I read about it in a novel, but not 'The French Lieutenant’s Woman'!  I hadn’t heard of that. Geoffrey Household wrote 'Rogue Male' and it in the hero goes to Lyme Regis. The author described it so nicely so I came here in 1988. I came for one night really and have stayed here since!

WHAT do you like about living in the town?

Its insularity. Everyone knows everybody else and no one can have a secret here. If you have a problem you can share it, and people usually do. The small things which are irrelevant elsewhere are important to everyone here, and they probably should be. I don’t mind people talking or gossiping about me. It’s better to be talked about than forgotten.

WHAT would you change if you could?

Nothing really. Maybe the attitudes of some people. For example, I think the Three Cups Hotel has stayed closed for over 20 years because of the attitudes of some people who don’t want it to be anything else, and certainly not because of Palmers.

WHY did you join the Royal British Legion?

The army gave me a great life. I’ve seen a lot of my mates injured or killed and I respect the old who responded to the call of duty and sacrificed themselves in hideous wars. They did this on our behalf and I think I should be doing something on their behalf. As old soldiers fade away, so their needs become more important, and the need for the Legion to keep going and funds to be raised never slackens.

WHAT are your other personal interests?

I’m groundsman at Uplyme and Lyme Regis Cricket Club, a member of St Michael’s Parish Church choir and of Lyme Regis Operatic Society. I also enjoy walking, watching football and going to the pub!

WHERE is your ideal holiday destination?

My ideal holiday destination would be a cruise down the South Atlantic to visit all our remaining tiny possessions there.

WHAT would you do if you won the Lottery?

I suppose we could finish paying for the new church organ and repair the clock tower. But I have to point out that I haven’t, so please donate generously!

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